'A personal decision not to hate'

Tribune staff reporter

All of our lives can be changed forever if we choose not to hate. Choosing not to hate those who have injured us is the only way we can end the cycle of hate.

After viewing the news last Monday, when the children in Northern Ireland were being taunted by adults as they made their way to school, one can only ask when and where will it all end. We must all make a personal decision not to hate, and make that decision clear to our leaders.

Diane Ruzevich, Berwyn

The Flag

I raised a flag todayA flag with fifty starsI raised a flag todayA flag with thirteen barsI raised a flag todayTo honor those who diedI raised a flag todayAnd then I stood and cried.I cried and wept and cursed and prayedAnd had to wonder "why?"Angst and anger welled inside meAnd then I saw it fly.The flag snapped briskly in the wind,It unfurled in the sky,Its glory rose above my fears,Its freedom was not denied.The symbol of our country,The banner of our pride,The flag of these United StatesFlew boldly at my side.I raised a flag todayBut the flag, it lifted me.I raised a flag todayFor all the world to see.I raised a flag todayAnd upon seeing it, I knew:Above the dusty, ashen gray would riseThe red, the white, and the blue.

God Bless America

Bob Mann, Macomb, Ill.

Watching those firemen and policemen respond to the fires in the buildings, dashing into the structures they had the courage of how I pictured men charging off the landing craft to hit the beach in Normandy or the South Pacific. True heroism. And, the chiefs and deputies of the NYFD and NYPD, manning a command post right in the middle of the danger - that is bravery and leadership not even seen by the commanding generals in a battle, where they are often far behind the most dangerous spots. The group on Flight 93? Hand to hand combat by unarmed men against cold blooded killers with nothing to lose - an act of bravery on par with the finest of America's fighting men of any age. War has come to our streets and the skies above them and the citizen heroes of this era have risen to meet the call of duty with unflinching bravery. It steels the resolve of our national psyche to meet any threat and take care of our fellow man.

Carl Cepuran, Glen Ellyn

As An American

"I Am Sad And I Am Angry!",

To You The Terrorists I Say...

"Keep Your Eyes On America!"

In This, "Yet A Different Type Of War", You As "Terrorists" Threw The First Punch,"You Knew We Would Not!",Like Cowards You Approached Us, As To A Victim When It's Guard Was Down,

Yes! "Just As You Planned, Many Died!"Yes! "Our Hearts Did Break, We Did Cry",Yes! "You Pierced Our Stride","Yes! We As Americans Did Stagger",

But! "We Did Not Fall",And! "Our Flag Still Stands",And! "Freedom Still Rings","Our Greatest Weapon And Comfort Has Always Been Our Pride!"

"Did You Expect Any Less Of Us?"

Though You Bask In The Glow Of Our Unforeseen Tragedies,"Know That We Hold You And Your Conspirators Accountable!","Know, We Are More United Now Than Before Your Feat!","Know That Our Patriotism Shines Brighter Than Your Beacon For Our Demise!",

We Are Sad, "But Not Helpless!",We Are Emotionally Down, "But Not Out!",You Have Won This Battle,But! "The War Is Ours!",For What You Have Started, "We Will Now Finish!"

We Know You Are Wondering "What Next?","Good!""You Wait!, You Watch!","But Don't You Blink!","As We Do Not Intend To Sleep!",

"Keep Your Eyes On America!"

Charlotte Butler-Woods, West Bloomfield, Mich.

I think this will put the focus on God. I hope this will put America into the Word of the Living God, know that we are living in our last days and the time is now to get on the Lords side. People are starting to realize that life is precious, not promised. There is an old Christian Hymn that says " This may be the last time..." and everyday until that day will feel this way. We need to put things in perspective and stop chasing terrorist and start chasing GOD.

Now is the time for all people of all beliefs, values and purpose to renounce terrorism in any form. In democratic countries this is especially unjustified since there is the alternative of the ballot box. We cannot pick and chose our causes; support for the IRA or Basque separatists is no more acceptable than support for the actions of bin Laden and his associates. All target innocents with the aim of using terror to impose their own agenda. In America, the rhetoric used by the militias, the KKK, militant anti-abortionists, homophobic or religious fanatics or any group, white or black, who refuse to accept the results of the ballot box must be met by definitive and vocal refutation.

We see and hear the use of this tragedy to promote attacks on groups and individuals. People like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson find an opportunity to apportion blame to those they oppose. To stoop to such tactics is a perversion that mocks the deaths of those innocents, some of whom no doubt belonged to the groups that these two attacked. It is abhorrent to all true Christians and should serve to remind us that what lead to this attack was not due to differences in faith or values but to the extreme fanaticism that does not allow for the acceptance of others who do not share them.

In the same way the president has stated that those countries that harbor or support terrorists are as guilty as the perpetrators themselves, so we must also see that those people, groups or congregations who support domestic or foreign violence of any kind are themselves guilty of the blood shed. As long as the ballot box exists no-one has the right to force any other to accept their beliefs or follow the way of life they promote.

So, as we search our souls in the aftermath of this great tragedy and take comfort from the great outpouring of support for the victims let us all search our own souls and ensure we do not in any way think or act like those responsible for this act. Yes let us feel anger and pain, we are human. But let us focus that anger against those that promote their agendas with hatred and intolerance, against those that count the innocent fair game to achieve their objectives. Only in this way can we make the sacrifice and deaths of those innocents come to have a meaning that will shine forever in their memory.

Keith Scott, Naperville

Notes from an aging hippie:

Every time the stock market goes into a sustained decline, we come up withan excuse to go to war. If the recent terrorists attacks had not occurred,we would have come up with some other excuse. If getting the stock marketback on an even keel requires human sacrifice, then I would like to suggestwe toss a few Daddy Warbucks into Mount Etna.

Over the past 50 years or so, our government has presented us with a varietyof demons to hate. Only twohave been dealt with satisfactorily: Noriega and Milosevic, both of whom werehunted down and brought to trial.

Yesterday I wore a black arm band to Mass in mourning for those who losttheir lives in the recent terrorists attacks. I plan to wear it every time Igo out in public for anyone who loses his life as a result of theseterrorists attacks for as long as it takes.

A letter from our bishop was read at Mass in lieu of a homily. It called forjustice, not revenge. War is not justice. Hunting down criminals andbringing them to trial is justice.

It bothers me a lot that the TV news is not interviewing those who have aplan offering an alternative to war. I emailed ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Foxexpressing my displeasure at this lack of balanced coverage.

"Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me."

Gem Bordages, Galveston, Texas

I'm really saddened by what has happened. I only hope the monsters who did this are found and punished severely. I also hope the U.S. govt. understands that to prevent this from ever happening again it will need to change its foreign policy in the Middle East. It must threaten to cut off all financial and political support to Israel unless it stops its brutal oppression of the Palestianian people. Terrorism is only the symptom of an underlying disease. The disease is caused by a brutal regime (Israel) committing daily atrocities against a people who want nothing more than a country where they can live in peace and freedom. Once these terrorists are caught and punished there will be more people waiting in the wings to take up the same cause.

William Holtz, Wheaton

Just thought you would like to know.... My dad put the flag that was covering his dad's casket many years ago, on top of his roof in Orland Park for all pilots of planes & passengers to see as they approach their landing in the Chicago area. I just think this is another great way for American's to show their support!

Joseph Miller, Homer Glen, Ill.

PRAY

EVEN THOUGH THE WORST HAS HAPPENED AND WE ALL FEEL THE SORROW AND LOSS PRAYER IS THE ONLY SOLACE TO CURE OUR EMPTY AND SAD HEARTS. GOD WAS THERE WITH THEM IN THEIR PASSING. HE IS HERE WITH US NOW AS WE TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF THE HORRIFYING EVENTS. THEY DID NOT HAVE GOD WITH THEM WHEN THEY CARRIED THIS ATTACK OUT ON THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. LOVE WAS ABANDONED AND THE NEGATIVE EGO TOOK COMPLETE POSSESSION OF THEIR SOULS. WHY DO THEY THINK THEIR BELIEF IS THE ONLY ONE. GOD IS THE ONLY ONE TO DECIDE LIFE AND DEATH. HE ALLOWS YOU TO WORSHIP AND PRAISE HIM IN YOUR OWN WAY. HIS TEACHINGS DID NOT INCLUDE THE HATRED AND DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE. HE TAUGHT US TO LOVE OURSELVES AND OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. FORGIVE THOSE THAT WE DO NOT AGREE WITH FOR WE ALL ARE BROUGHT INTO THIS WORLD TO LOVE. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS NURTURED. ALL OF THE HATRED IS TAUGHT TO US BY THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN OFF OF THE DIVINE PATH. OUR WORLD IS CHANGING AND IF WE ASK OUR GOD FOR GUIDANCE AND RESPECT MANKIND, PEACE WITH FALL UPON THE EARTH INSTEAD OF US DESTROYING HER AND OURSELVES. I PRAY FOR THOSE THAT HAVE PASSED ON SO THAT THEY MAY BE ENLIGHTENED BEFORE ARRIVING TO THEIR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE. I ESPECIALLY PRAY FOR THOSE STILL ON EARTH SO THAT THEY WILL AWAKEN TO LOVE AND FORGIVE THEIR BROTHERHOOD IN MANKIND FOR THAT IS THE ONLY THING TO SAVE THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT. PLEASE PRAY WITH ME SO WE WILL ALL SEE THE LIGHT AND LOVE.

PRAY

Michael E. Hill, Phoenix, Ariz.

Throughout the week of tragedy, little has been said about how such a massive terrorist incursion has been financed, only to say that Osama bin Laden is heir to a $300 million fortune. But where did that come from? We cannot neglect that the resources that funded this affront to civilization came from the wealth created by the West's dependence on Mideastern oil. Prior to the ''70's oil embargo that empowered the feudal governments of the Mideast, the fanaticism both political and religious that tormented the Mideast did not spill over to the West, save for the Israeli wars--which proved entirely controllable before an unending supply of oil money was directed towards the anti-Israel camp. The dependence upon Mideastern oil has compromised Western values; in fact, one could leap to the conclusion that we are financing our own demise. And to keep that oil flowing, we kowtow to uncivilized behavior in effect appeasing the enemies of all that we cherish as Americans.

The despicable events of this past week compel us to find a way to marginalize and neutralize those interests who would seek to destroy our civilization. For this to occur, we must drastically reduce our dependence on Mideastern oil. The "War on Terrorism" must include the financing of a new Manhattan Project (irony of name entirely intentional) with the aim of developing alternative energy sources as a matter of national security. This "New Manhattan Project" should enlist the best minds of our country and our allies to feverishly and tirelessly find and develop plentiful, safe and economical fuel resources that will replace our dependence upon foreign oil and our subsequent funding of anti-American interests. A deadline--as national goal and inspiration--not too different from JFK's call for a man on the moon by the end of the '60s, should be proclaimed by our President and Congress. Nothing should be spared from this effort. It is a race that we must not lose. Only when we cease to send billions of dollars to the Mideast will we have a chance to truly eradicate the terror financed by oil interests--whether perpetrated by fanatical individuals or state-sponsored.

David Newberger, Chicago

Driving home on Lake Shore Drive Saturday afternoon, I noticed something quite terrifying on the windows of Lake Point Towers. In each of the windows on one of the floors were the letters R E V E N G E. I shuddered to think what the repercussions of that word meant. Revenge on whom I thought. Revenge on the hijackers? They are already dead and will have to answer to God. Revenge on those that support these hijackers? Yes, they should be brought to justice before they try to do something even more horrendous. Yes, take revenge on those that attacked the American people so brutally on the 11th but will they be the only ones? Unfortunately, with President Bush's call for war, I know that there will be others on whom revenge will be taken on who are just as innocent as those who were in the Pentagon, in the World Trade Center and on the United and American Airlines flights on September 11th, 2001. They are the poor, young, and defenseless children who are now without a mother or a father. They are the young women who are now made widows with young children to feed. They are the men whose fatherhood is taken away from them when they see their children die right in front of their eyes. They are the mothers whose motherhood is taken away from them when they see the bombs drop and rip their children open, their own flesh and blood, right in front of their eyes. Do we want to take revenge on these innocent people? I ask the American people, do we want to take revenge on these innocent people? I ask President Bush, do you want to take revenge, or may I say retaliation for that is the word you have chosen, on these innocent people? I pray that the American people do not turn into a barbaric, ruthless, and war and revenge-seeking people. The American people should respond to the attack on September 11th with justice and NOT violence. Violence cannot be and will not be met with violence.

Uzma Shariff, Chicago

It's Time For WarBut This Time Let it be a Holy War

The President has declared a War on Terrorism, "the First World War of the twenty first century," but I contend that the scope is too small. This time we really need a "War to End All Wars". We need a "Holy War"! It is even prophesied before the Second Coming. You may cringe at the sound of that and visualize Christians and Jews fighting Muslims or one sect of Hindus fighting another; where both sides shed blood in the name of God, Allah or some other supreme force, but that is not the picture.

We have already tried that for thousands of years and it has brought us to our current state of disaster. We have children and adults dancing in the streets of Beirut and Baghdad at the news of our tragedy. We have Jews and Muslims demanding retribution for bombings and killings in their countries, and we have Americans demanding retaliation for the outrageous murder of our innocent friends and families. All are claiming grievances and all have "right" and probably god on their side. Unfortunately, we are on the verge of repeating and continuing the pattern. A pattern that can only escalate to the use of more horrendous weapons of greater mass destruction like chemical and biological warfare. That is why we must stop and expand our focus.

Obviously we must stop those that have and would continue to harm us. Obviously we must protect ourselves and bring to justice those who have committed these heinous acts, but if we stop there we are lost. And if we fall into revenge and fear we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. That is why I propose a "Holy War".

According to Webster's, "holy" can mean spiritually pure, sinless, and deserving of reverence and adoration. So what would a "Holy War" look like. In my mind it would be based on love, compassion, mutual respect and recognizing that we are All One Family. We have experienced countless examples of this not only in New York City and Washington but throughout the United States and the rest of the world. We all know what it means to be spiritually connected because we all felt this tragedy at our core. With this realization we can expand our consciousness to literally transform the world.

War, crime and destruction are based on fear, separation, prejudice, ignorance and lack. If we truly wish to have a "War to End All Wars" then we must eliminate the causes of war. This means that we must first work within ourselves to heal those wounds internally. As we heal ourselves we will reflect this healing in how we treat and interact with each other. We have a wonderful window of opportunity right now because we can see what fear, separation, prejudice, ignorance and lack have wrought. And fortunately, we can also see and feel what love, connection, respect and support can create.

We must recognize that every starving man, woman or child in Beirut, Baghdad, Africa, Asia, North or South America, or anywhere else in the world is part of us. They are our responsibility and our opportunity. After World War II we understood this and with programs like the Marshall Plan we literally transformed our enemies into or strongest allies. With the world mobilized like it has never been before and with everyone feeling our true inner connectedness, we have the opportunity of the ages. If we merely use this to seek out and destroy the evil perpetrators of this abomination and to become better at catching the next generation of bad guys, then we have lost. We will be doomed to live in greater and greater fear with less and less freedom.

I implore all of us to choose the most powerful weapon ever created. The one power that can transform us instantaneously. The power of Love. Let us mobilize the masses in the name of Love to eradicate once and forever the causes of war, crime and terrorism. If we are willing to commit our lives to the power of Love with the passions that these terrorists gave their lives in the name of destruction then, and only then, we can truly have peace.

Jon Royal, Des Moines

If the US does go in and fight, I certainly hope that they do not take over and "GIVE" PALESTINE TO ISRAEL. WE WILL NEVER SEE THE END IF OUR COUNTRY DOES THIS. WE MUST PRAY FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION.

Vernyle Steele

Every day I tell my young children to be brave in the face of things that terrify them: thunderstorms and doctor's shots. Their fears seem quaint to me, but real to them. And, bless their hearts, they sniffle and buck up and face their demons. It is my turn now to learn to be brave in the face of things that terrify me: hatred, death and violence. I will learn to face these dangers with the faith and courage of my children. May God watch over me as I help my children grow into this new world. May God bless and forgive us all.

Jennifer L. Bollero, St. Charles

Many words have been written and many more after me.The crime that has been committed is a crime against all people.It was a crime committed by animals, not humans, not people.Only an animal will strike out senselessly and harm anything even itself. Only these animals aren't reacting out of fear they are actingout of cowardice. The worst form of cowardice, the kind that lets them pervert even honorable beliefs like the Islamic faith. I don't know as much about the Islamic faith as maybe I should. My belief isn't mainstream but even mine believes in tolerance and respect for other faiths. No faith that I know of truly preaches/teaches that the taking of innocent life is the path to God. I find it hard to believe that any truly spiritual person can honestly believe that God, by whatever name you call him or her, would want you toruthlessly kill the innocents in the world that was created for a higher glory than that. I don't know why God created such cowards, I can only believe that he/she did it to test the faith ofthe TRUE believers. What happens the them I can only imagine.I believe that they still have the free will to choose what actions they wish to take. In this case they "Chose" to become the most hated, most cowardly of anything on the planet. In so doing they have perverted what should be held sacred, what should be cherished. We will survive this, human nature says we will. Our faith in our particular belief will let us survive this and move on. Those who did this thought they destroyed a mighty structure and yet that structure will now live on for longer than any stone. They thought that by killing countless people they would receive praise instead those killed will be praised until we all perish by God. God bless all of the peoples of the world that know the truth. The truth as no Terrorist will understand. The truth that will one day come to them.

Robert E Myers III, Crown Point, Ind.

My hope is that no more of us will shame and dishonor the memory of thosewho died and those heroes who are trying to save the lost by proclaiming hatredfor a group of people based only on their religion or ethnic background.

The people who perpetuated this hate us, Americans, all of us. They killed apart of all of us. They are not people of any true faith. They are notpeopleof profound Spirituality. They are deranged, they are monsters, they aredamned by the tenets of any religion that preaches damnation. They are notMoslems. They bring shame to Allah. They are dumb lemmings who follow leaders sittingsafe in mountain hideouts. They do not question authority. They demand nofreedom of speech or religion. They live in hate, hate, hate. It boils intheir hard, small hearts.

Our hearts are large. Our hearts are soft. Our hearts give and give andgive.We will show the world again that we are strong because we are "one frommany". We will be there for each other. We will forget color, religion,ethnicity and stand as one. We will not be lemmings. We will tolerate thebeliefs and cultures of each other. And I deeply hope we will not justtolerate but will find a new acceptance as we come to understand who we areand who these monsters are. Thanks for reading

Carol Kenyon, South Elgin

Yes, the tragedy will change our psyche. If not physically or emotionally, then perhaps financially. Where we once knew safety and security, now we feel vulnerability. Those of us born after WW II will have to develop a new mindset about our country. Rather than a "me first attitude", we should develop a "we together" can do anything.

Jeanene Olson, Cranfills Gap, Texas

Remember the Apple Pie

Frankly, although I myself have strong opinions regarding retribution at the moment, I'm surprised and slightly nervous about the nature of reactions I've seen to Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

Of course, as a nation and as individuals, our first reaction was shock, followed closely by fear and anger. I myself spent hours on Tuesday glued to the TV screen, not even speaking to the person on the other end of my phone, but grateful throughout my being that someone was there. Then I joined in conversation and email debates about who was responsible and just how harshly they should be punished. These reactions are normal, to be accepted, and actually should be encouraged as a necessary part of the grieving process.

Our next reaction is the attempt to intellectualize the tragedy, to try to make sense of -- or at the very least, create some context for -- the horrendous things that happened to the United States. As hard as it is, on some level or other we need to integrate the tragedy in order to figure out, personally and nationally, "What do we do from here?" This is where my confusion comes in - almost every reaction that I've heard or read deals with military (revenge/retribution-oriented) and economic reactions.

Both are, of course, terribly important. The very course of the world depends upon what we do.

But are they most important? I think not.

We must exact retribution. How, who and what are slightly secondary, and that fact could be (and will be) debated for years to come.We must recover fiscally and continue economically. This is only marginally debatable.What is NOT debatable is that we must regenerate our psyche - personally and nationally.

This is what has not been discussed.

When a close family member dies, first there is the shock and often elected isolation (Sept. 11). Then comes the wake, the sharing, the coming together and support (Sept. 12th and 13th). Then the funeral, the symbolic representation and letting go (Sept. 14th - 16th). What comes next?

The cooking of food.

Because, after all, we are still alive, and we still need to eat.

Tuesday most of us (the ones lucky enough not to be searching for loved ones) spent the day watching, crying, talking a little and actually doing as little as possible. But Tuesday night, we cooked dinner for our families, we made sure our children brushed their teeth, we checked that everyone had clean socks for Wednesday morning -- we lived.

Now we are no longer in shock. We are angry, we are restive, we are - in the very backs of our minds - scared. What do we do from here?

The answer is: keep living!

We as individuals need to keep living to teach the children that no one event can destroy a life. We as a nation need to keep living to teach the world that no one event can destroy the 'self-evident' truths we hold so dear - to show the world that the beacon of freedom shall not perish from the earth.

Essentially, our country closed on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That was inevitable and appropriate. Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, our country was in the middle of a vigil - maintaining our watch, and psychically fasting as we assimilated the damage done to us. This was also appropriate and inevitable. And, as is necessary and just, Friday and the weekend will be dedicated to memorial.

Then on Monday comes the moment of reckoning - What do we do from here?

The answer is: we live. I'm not talking here about mourning - the period of mourning over Tuesday's losses will and should go on forever. I'm talking about continuing to live, continuing to eat and to cook good food for those around us. I'm talking about freedom, the freedom to live and play and enjoy.

The answer is: we pick up the pieces of our beliefs and we put them back together. They will form a different shape, but they are not unusable - and like a broken bone, they will fuse stronger at the joinings. We pick up the pieces of our culture and we put them back together. We open the stock market, we celebrate relaxation and entertainment with the Emmys, we start holding, watching and attending sports events. We allow ourselves to be frivolous again. Certainly (and this is possibly a good thing) not AS frivolous. Our innocence is dimmed and we as a nation will never again be as brash and confident as we were -- but frivolous nonetheless.

Humans are almost unique among mammal species in that our adults continue to play - and play is the basis for new forms of learning. Americans are almost unique among nationalities in our respect for and protection of the freedom to play. If we lose that, we will no longer be the necessary representative of freedom that we have been. We cannot be as we were - someone said to me Thursday morning that "of course, it isn't business as usual, but...", and I say, oh yes it is. Today has been the beginning of business as usual - it will never be business as WAS usual again. But despite our new vigil and vulnerability, we can still play, we can still love, we can still eat and enjoy the act of eating.

Whoever perpetrated this act has done an astounding amount of damage to the United States. They have assaulted us physically, emotionally, politically and financially.

They threatened our lives - and took some of them.They threatened our liberties - and took some of them, with undoubtedly more to follow.We must not, MUST NOT, let them threaten our pursuit of happiness.

We cannot let them achieve their objective. Let the damage stop here.

So please, everyone, dedicate this week and weekend to vigil, to abstinence, to the first encompassing shock of mourning. Then we can wake up Monday morning and dedicate - with an intensity not known before - to living. Bring back baseball, make your family an apple pie, cry a little and laugh a little and stand firm for your right to enjoy.

The best revenge is a good life - Let us live! Don't consign September 11, 2001 to a dusty list of tragic events that make intellectual fodder for political debates. Let it be the day that United States citizens stood up and said NO! You may send us terror, but we will not be terrorized. You may make us stumble, but we will not cower and we will not fall - and we the people and we the nation will not be ruled by fear.

Raise your pennants, raise your dishtowels, raise your flags. Unite and prove that we are still "the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE."

Jennifer Trewitt, Villa Park

I want to feel safe in my home and my country just as much as any other American. I want the people who planned and waged this brutal attack against us caught and served with justice. But, please, in the process, let's not kill innocent civilians in the Middle East or anywhere. Their lives are as valuable as ours. Let's not stoop to the level of the terrorists and take innocent lives in the name of "justice" or "war."